Chapter 2 - Psychological Research

Question 1

Scientific Method

Answer 1

Question -> Hypothesis -> Test -> Conclude -> Construct/modify theory -> Develop new research questions

Question 2

Population

Answer 2

a complete group of organisms

Question 3

sample

Answer 3

part of a population, representative of the population

Question 4

generalize

Answer 4

the ability to apply findings from a sample to the population

Question 5

random selection (the ideal method)

Answer 5

everyone in the target population has an equal chance of being chosen

Question 6

Convenience samples

Answer 6

consists of individuals who are most accessible (Disadvantage: sample may not represent target population)

Question 7

Two classes of studies:

Answer 7

Non-experimental, experimental

Question 8

Non-experimental study

Answer 8

lacks manipulation of variables; e.g. surveys, observation, etc.

Question 9

Experimental study

Answer 9

manipulate one variable to see the effect

Question 10

Independent variable

Answer 10

variable manipulated

Question 11

Dependent variable

Answer 11

measurable result or outcome

Question 12

The only method to determine cause & effect

Answer 12

Experimental method

Question 13

Correlation

Answer 13

statistical association between two variables (positive, negative, or zero)

Question 14

Positive correlation

Answer 14

two variables move in same direction - i.e. increase or decrease together

Question 15

Negative Correlation

Answer 15

variables move in opposite directions

Question 16

zero correlation

Answer 16

two variables have NO relationship at all

Question 17

CORRELATION DOES NOT IMPLY

Answer 17

CAUSATION

Question 18

informed consent

Answer 18

participants must be informed of their rights, risks, nature of study

Question 19

Debriefing

Answer 19

subjects are informed of misconceptions after study

Question 20

Deductive reasoning

Answer 20

hypothesis -> empirical evidence -> conclusion

Question 21

Inductive reasoning

Answer 21

evidence of something -> hypothesis -> then tested through deduction

Question 22

Inter-rater reliability

Answer 22

comparing observations made by different observers

Question 23

Longitudinal research

Answer 23

testing same group of individuals repeatedly over extended period of time

Question 24

Cross-sectional research

Answer 24

researcher compares multiple segments of population at the same time

Question 25

Attrition rates

Answer 25

reduction in number of participants due to dropouts

Question 26

Correlation coefficient

Answer 26

number from -1 to 1 that indicates the strength & direction of correlation